West Chicago council approves resolutions limiting civil immigration enforcement on city property after public outcry

The West Chicago City Council on Nov. 9 approved two measures intended to limit civil immigration enforcement on city property after residents filled the meeting to press for protections.

During a public-comment period that lasted more than an hour, dozens of residents described recent encounters with federal civil immigration agents and urged the council to adopt “ICE‑free” policies. ‘‘Passing this resolution will now automatically mean that federal agents will stop violating our rights,’’ said Jacqueline Carrasco, a longtime West Chicago resident who asked how police would help enforce any new restrictions. Maria Correa, who said she has been part of Casa Michoacan for more than 20 years, told the council that families in the community ‘‘have been taken by ICE without a warrant’’ and urged a yes vote.

The council considered two related items. Resolution 25R0072 prohibits the use of City of West Chicago property for civil immigration enforcement activities, and Resolution 25R0073 is a broader restriction reserving certain city property for city business — a formulation the city attorney said may be more legally defensible because it does not single out one federal agency.

City counsel told the council that municipalities face limits when trying to bar federal activity on tax‑paid property, but described steps the city could take to reduce harm: posting signage, asking federal agents to leave, and using non‑police staff or the city manager to issue municipal code violations in some municipalities. Counsel also flagged the risk that direct confrontation could create federal‑level legal complications.

Council members discussed enforcement and monitoring. The chair said West Chicago police would not be asked to obstruct federal agents, but could be present to document activity with body‑worn cameras so the city could preserve evidence for potential future accountability. ‘‘If a police officer is there with a body cam rolling . . . it’s gonna put them on their best behavior,’’ the chair said, arguing documentation could create a record for later legal proceedings.

The council took roll-call votes on both resolutions. The clerk recorded multiple "Aye" votes and one recorded "No" vote from Alderman Hallett on 25R0072; the presiding officer announced the motion carried. The council then voted to approve 25R0073, the broader city‑business restriction, which the city attorney said would be easier to defend if challenged because it does not single out a specific group.

Advocates at the meeting said the council’s actions signaled important local support even if municipal authority to stop federal agents is limited. Jared Fletcher, who presented a petition signed by 30 people in support of 25R0072, said the resolutions would ‘‘demonstrate that while the city’s ability to restrict the actions of the federal government is limited, the city will not be complicit.’’

Council members emphasized that the measures are only part of a broader approach the city is pursuing, including proposed police‑policy clarifications intended to direct officers to document and monitor federal enforcement activity rather than intercede, and working with neighboring municipalities to share best practices.

The council also amended and adopted a proclamation reaffirming West Chicago’s commitment to immigrant residents. The meeting moved on to the consent agenda and other business after the votes; the council then recessed into closed session later in the agenda.

The council’s actions are symbolic but intended to provide residents with some reassurance and documentation of federal activity; officials acknowledged limits to immediate enforcement and said they were setting up signage, administrative processes and evidence‑gathering protocols that could survive legal review.

What happens next: the resolutions are local policy statements and signage/implementation details will come through administrative channels; council members said they will continue to work with city legal staff and neighboring municipalities to refine enforcement and documentation procedures.